A life-size mock-up of the interior of the brand-new Bombardier-built trains that are due to operate across East Anglia from 2019 onwards has been unveiled.

A life-size mock-up of the interior of the brand-new Bombardier-built train. Picture: Greater Anglia

The replica of a carriage interior of a new Aventra train has been created at Bombardier’s factory in Derby, showing seating, lighting, a toilet and the general carriage layout.

Greater Anglia is replacing every single train on the network during 2019 to 2020.

Some 665 carriages in total are going to be built at the Bombardier factory to form 111 new trains - 89 five-carriage trains and 22 ten-carriage trains.

Groups of stakeholders including rail user groups, disability representatives, customer panels, passenger watchdogs, rail unions and representatives from local authorities and business organisations have visited the mock-up to give feedback about the design.

Over 1,000 other people, mainly Greater Anglia customers, have also taken part in an online consultation.

The new trains will play a vital part in transforming rail travel for commuters in East Anglia.

They will all have air conditioning, plug and USB points and free, fast wifi.

The new trains will be longer than those they replace and have more seats.

In addition, Greater Anglia is increasing the size of its fleet which will mean that commuters should find it easier to get a seat on their journeys to and from work.

Overall, the company is investing £1.4b on 169 new trains, of which £900m is being spent on Bombardier trains.

The new trains will start to replace the existing ones from 2019 and should all be in service by the end of 2020.

Mike Kean, Greater Anglia Deputy Managing Director, said: “We’re very excited about our new trains, as they will transform journeys for everyone.

Alan Fravolini, Project Director, East Anglia Aventra said: “Bombardier are delighted to have hit this important contract milestone, that will help secure the design phase for East Anglia.”

The Greater Anglia trains will run between London Liverpool Street and Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Ipswich.

They will also supplement the Norwich to Liverpool Street Intercity service with a third train an hour between Norwich and London.